April 17, 2016
Source/Robert Anthony Peralta Architect
Rendering of Woods Square proposal on Frankford Avenue in East Kensington.
A massive Frankford Avenue lot formerly owned by Woods Brothers Building Materials could soon become the site of a mixed-use apartment and retail project in East Kensington.
Last week, the East Kensington Neighbors Association posted renderings of the proposed Woods Square, a series of three buildings that would house 178 apartments with commercial space on the ground floor.
As Naked Philly notes, the enormous lot at 2621 Frankford Ave., measuring over 87,000 square feet, was sparsely used for construction and mainly provided space for parking and storage.
The property had been up for auction a few years ago, but the parcel never sold. Kensington, meanwhile, has been a key part of the Philadelphia Housing Authority's scattered-site initiative to bring tax-delinquent properties back to the city's tax rolls. A report published in February revealed that PHA has raised $9.5 million in vacant property auctions since 2011. This site, however, has been held for bigger plans and will be developed by Huntingdon Valley-based First Leader Development Corporation.
It's not yet clear what kind of retail presence Woods Square would serve. The design itself remains subject to change and the spaces between each building could be an attractive draw for prospective renters. Members of the community met last week to discuss the project, which could add density to the neighborhood and invite more business to the area.
